Lapid: We must restore calm to southern Israel

Finance Minister Yair Lapid addressed the protests in Arab towns at the beginning of the cabinet meeting: "I spoke with the heads of the authorities. We must restore the calm and apply the law. Ministers should not pontificate like talkbackers (Internet commenters). We must put out the fire, not fuel it. The extremists must not run the State of Israel."

Lapid added that "Hamas needs to know that we will not remain silent over the rocket fire in the south. The full might of the IDF and the State of Israel will be activated if calm isn't restored to the south. It is unacceptable and we will not accept it." (Kobi Nachshoni)